To commemorate the centenary of independence of the Greek islands of Lesvos, Lemnos and Agios Efstratios, the Hellenic Club of Canberra is honoring acclaimed folk painter Theophilos Hatzimihail (1867-1934), known simply as Theophilos, with a special exhibition titled Lesvos, Limnos, Agios Efstratios: Greek Spirit Through Millenia.
The must-see exhibition, which features prints of the internationally acclaimed artist of Neo-Hellenic Art, is featured in the Community Gallery from Nov. 14-Dec. 7.
According to the organizers the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to learn more about Theophilos’ work, the main subject of which are Greek characters and the illustration of Greek traditional folk life and history. Theofilos was a self-educated artist and gained recognition as the greatest folk painter of Greece.
The great painter from Vareia, Lesvos, used to paint many murals in villages for little money, usually for a plate of food and a cup of wine. Much of his work has been lost, either due to natural aging or damage by owners.
In Mytilene, the renowned art critic and publisher Stratis Eleftheriadis, who lived in Paris, discovered Theophilos and brought him recognition as well as international publicity, posthumously. Theophilos died in March 1934, on the eve of the Annunciation. One year later, his works were exhibited in the Louvre as a sample of a genuine folk painter of Greece. In 1964, the Museum of Theophilos was constructed in Vareia, Lesbos.
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